THB: We're working hard to improve

Taylor Harwood-Bellis says Aston Villa are working hard over the international break to maintain their recent momentum.

Three wins from four matches before the break kickstarted the team’s campaign, and Unai Emery’s squad are now in Spain for an intense training camp.

Harwood-Bellis, who debuted in the Carabao Cup win at Coventry City, believes the trip will be beneficial when Villa resume their Premier League season.

“That’s a big factor as to why we’re here: to keep the momentum building,” he said.

“We’ve had two really good results, but we know we’ve got more to give and more to improve on, so that’s the big focus now.

“We’ve got a friendly over here and that’s about getting a performance and getting minutes in for a few of us, and then it’s on to Brentford at home and the next few games where we need wins.”

The 24-year-old joined late in the summer window on the opening day of September, and he’s been adjusting to life as a Villan.

Harwood-Bellis has enjoyed every moment so far and says he’ll be working hard to break into the starting XI.  

He said: “I love it. I feel like I’ve been here [a long time].

“It was a tough move, obviously being at Southampton and having a lot of affection for the club and then coming here, I didn’t know what to expect.

“The lads have been brilliant, the staff have been brilliant, and it’s a proper club. Everyone I speak to says, ‘Wow, what a club’. That’s the feeling everyone has at Villa.

“I’m really grateful and proud to be here. I hope to get a few more games and try to get myself into the team, which is difficult with the standard of players here.

“I’ll keep working and I won’t stop until I get my run of games.”

Villa’s time in Spain will end with a friendly against La Liga outfit Sevilla on Friday evening, the perfect opportunity to gain fitness and form versus a strong opponent.

“It will be good, we’re playing in their stadium, and I like new experiences of playing abroad,” Harwood-Bellis said.

“It will be a good test and we’re looking forward to it.”